Electric air finisher

ABSTRACT

An electric air form garment finisher including a frame upon which the garment is dressed, a blower for forcing air under moderate pressure through the garment, separate electric heaters for heating the air before passing through the garment, and control means for actuating the heaters for a standby low output situation where the separate heaters are connected in an in series circuit and further for actuating the heaters for a high output finishing situation where the heaters are connected in an in parallel circuit.

United States Patent inventor Peter D. Rasmussen 56 R fe nc Cited A l N gg UNITED STATES PATENTS F551 0. Jan 2 1970 2,925,945 2/1960 Jackson 223/70 Patented Blevcns l Assignee McGraw-Edison Company Primary Examiner- Patrick D. Lawson Elgin, Ill. Assistant Examiner-George V. Larkin Attorney-Charles F. Lind ABSTRACT: An electric air form garment finisher including a frame upon which the garment is dressed, a blower for forcing ELECTRICMRFFNISFER air under moderate pressure through the garment, separate 10 Clams 3 Drawmg electric heaters for heating the air before passing through the U.S. Cl 223/70 garment, and control means for actuating the heaters for a Int. Cl. A4lh 5/00, standby low output situation where the separate heaters are A4lh 5/02 connected in an in series circuit and further for actuating the Field of Search 223/57, 67, heaters for a high output finishing situation where the heaters 70, 52, 51, 73, 76, 79 are connected in an in parallel circuit.

l I I 4 I; w H k as H l v I I Q 38 22 2O 23 ID 4 ELECTRIC AIR FINISIIER Air form finishers frequently are used to finish garments that can be dressed on the form and inflated by air pressure to an open wrinkly wrinkle free condition. Although the garment material somewhat limits the effectiveness of the finisher, 100 percent cottons, wools, synthetic materials, or combinations of these can selectively be finished on the unit and frequently with only minor adjustments as to cycle time and temperature. A dry garment can be dressed on the finisher and conditioned thereon by steam, although frequently moist garments are dressed directly on the finisher. Because the finisher is not suited for all garments, it frequently must stand idle for indefinite periods. At industrial laundering plants, the choice of power typically is no problem since available high pressure steam boilers permit steam to be "used both to heat the finisher and discharge conditioning moisture into the garment. However, in self-service coin-op situations, there frequently is no existing steam supply of such capacity for conditioning discharge to the garment or for heating the discharged air. In

this regard, the subject invention has specific utility where electric power is available but where a high output steam boiler is not available.

An object of this invention is to provide an air form finisher which is operated entirely electric power.

A more detailed object of this invention is to provide for use in a finisher separate electric heatersand appropriate controls therefor suitable to energize all the heaters at a rather low output for a standby cycle where-the .heaters and much frame structure of the finisher are maintained at a reasonably high temperature, and thereafter to'energize the heaters at a large output almost instantaneously to give a finishing cycle substantially upon demand, such that for example a coin-op user can deposit the required coinage andimmediately thereafter begin the finishing cycle. j

A still more specific object of the this invention is to provide in an air form finisher appropriate controls for separate electric heaters utilizing combinations of in series and in parallel circuits selectively maintained by appropriate single switches for having a continuous low heat output and having varying higher heat outputs as required, where the switch operations are tied automatically to the blower so that as the blower is operated a higher heat output is automatically delivered to the unit.

These and other objects of this invention will be more readily understood and appreciated after reviewing the following specification, the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view,,partly in longitudinal section, of an air form finisher in which the subject invention is disclosed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electrical connection suitable for use in the air form finisher of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an electric connection suitable for use in the air form finisher disclosed of FIG. 1.

The finisher shown includes a sheet metal base 12 housing a blower 14 having inlet opening 16. The base 12 defines a passage 18 at the outlet of the blower communicating with a top opening 20 in the base. A hollow frame 22 is mounted rotatably on appropriate bearing structure 23 relative to the base in overlying relationship to the top opening 20. The frame 22 is open but structurally provides a shoulder portion 24 connected to the upper ends of front and rear vertical members 25, and supports a flexible bag 26 thereon which is contoured generally to the configuration of a human. The bag 26 typically includes a lower generally impervious portion 28 which is secured at 29 to the lowerperiphery of the frame communicating with the top base opening 20, and further includes an open upper portion 30 which underlies the garment dressed on the form. Heater means 32 is supported by the frame 12 in the air passage 18, generally underlying the top opening 20.

In operation, a garment G is positioned on the frame and held in place as required by suitable clamps 34 as is typical in the prior art. Thereafter, operation of the blower 14 causes air to pass through the passage 18, over the heater 32, out the top base opening 20 into the bag 26, up through the open part 30 of the bag, and through and around the garment. Although a steam outlet pipe 38 can be connected to a suitable source of steam for discharge into the bag air passage for conditioning the garment, it is cont'emplatedthat the subject finisher would have greatest utility where the garment were in fact already moist, such as it might be discharged from an extractor. The heater means heats the air before passing the garment and the heated air inflates the garment to remove the wrinkles and dries the garment. 1

The heater means 32 preferably is of the electric resistance type having a nichrome wire element coiled helically and connected between opposed terminals 42. Appropriate insulators 44 maintain the heating element separated from the grounded base 12. It is contemplated that at least three such separate heating elements be provided, or at least three separated terminal connections be provided intermediate the length of the heating element.

In FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a control suitable for properly energizing the heating elements is disclosed. The control shows three electric resistance heaters 50, 51 and 52; a solenoid actuated double pole single throw switch 54; thermostat 56; blower motor 58; control switch 60; and a timer 62. In the standby cycle condition, the hot side of a power source is connected via line 64, thermostat 56, line 65,.element 50, line 66, element 51, line 67, element 52, and line 68 to the opposite or ground potential of the power source. The thermostat 56 is supported by the base 12 proximate the heating elements so as to sense the temperature in the immediate area. The in series circuit of the heating elements provides a low output of only a few hundred watts, sufficient to maintain the elements and adjacent structure on a standby warm basis. The thermostat 56 might be set to close at a low temperature of F. and open at a high temperature of approximately The control switch 60 is connected via line 70 to timer coil 71; via line 72 to coil 73 for closing switch 54', and via line 75 to the blower motor 58. Momentary closing of the switch 60 connects the hot power source at the switch to the various coils 71 and 73 and to the blower motor 58 to energize each component. When coil 71 is energized, the hot normally open contact 81 is drawn against contact 82 which then maintains the coil 71 energized and also begins the cycle of timer 62. The timer 62 is typical and can be set foran adjustable duration which upon lapsing mechanically separates contacts 81 and 82 to deenergize the coils 7] and 73 and the blower motor 58. However while the timer is operating and the contacts 8] and 82 are closed, the energized coil 73 closes the switch 54 and the energized blower motor 58 powers the blower 14.

With switch 54 closed, power is obtained via line 83, switch contact 84, line 85 to the line 67 which then follows the parallel paths through the heating element 52 and line 68 to ground and through heating element 51, lines 66 and 88, switch contact 89 and line 89 to ground. The heating element 50 is similarly connectedacross the full potential via line 64, thermostat 56, lines 65, 66, 88 and 89, and the closed switch contact 89 to ground. As such, the heating elements 50, 51 and 52 are connected in the high output parallel circuit of a normal finishing cycle.

In the FIG. 2 control, the heating elements are energized in the high output parallel circuit simultaneously upon the blower motor 58 being energized. Operation of the blower l4 forces air over the thermostat 56 which normally tends to cool the thermostat rapidly to close it and operate the heating element 50 should the thermostat in fact be opened at that time. The in parallel connection of the heating-elements provides substantially higher output for the finishing cycle as compared to the low output series connection, of the standby cycle or condition. For example, where the heating elements have similar resistances, the heat output of the in parallel high output cycle (all the heating elements being energized) is nine times the heat output of the standby condition, which ratio is reduced to four times the output when thermostat 56 is open and element 50 is deenergized, should such occur. When the timer cycle lapses and contacts 81 and 82 separate, the heating elements are disconnected from the parallel high output circuit and returned to the standby series circuit.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment having many of the identical components as FIG. 2, which are accordingly numbered the same. In this control, however the high heat switch 54 is controlled not directly by the control switch 60 but by means of a circuit including line 92 through there thermostat 90 to a power source. The thermostat 90 is likewise supported on the base in temperature sensing relationship to the heating elements, but downstream thereof relative to the blower moved air. The thermostat 90 would be set to open the normally closed contacts at a temperature slightly less than the closing temperature of the standby thermostat 56, say on the order of 175 F. and close upon cooling again to 160 F. This circuit has two advantages: the first being rapid parallel circuit heating upon initially operating the unit, to almost the standby temperature since the closed contacts of thermostat 90 close the switch 54; and the second being the subsequent high output energizing the heating elements only after the blower has started. In other words, when the blower operates responsive to the control switch 60 closing, the movement of air over the thermostat 90 dissipates the standby heat to close thermostat and provide the high output heating of the elements. Thereafter, even with the parallel circuit operation of the elements, the thermostat 90 normally would stay closed because of the heat transfer effect of the moving air.

It is thus noted that the operation of the subject form finisher is particularly adapted for use in an installation where only electric power is available or where the unit must be maintained for indefinite periods in a standby heated condition. Consequently, upon the closing of the control switch 60, the finishing cycle can immediately begin. Moreover, the total heat output of the unit provides rapid heat dissipation to and through the garment for suitable quick drying during the finishing cycle, although such can be provided with the conventional 1 -220 volts, 60 amperes power service.

lclaim:

1. In an air form finisher having a hollow base with a top opening, an upright frame supported on the base, a shoulder form on the frame, a sleeve draped over and secured to the frame and communicating with the base top opening, and a blower in the base directing air through the top opening and sleeve to and through a garment dressed on the form over the sleeve, the combination of at least three electric resistance heating eiements supported in the base adjacent the top opening and in heating transfer relation with the air discharged from the blower, first circuit means connecting the heating elements in series for low or standby heat output and second circuit means including two pairs of switch contacts connecting the heating elements in parallel for-high heat output, and means operating the switch contacts for controlling the second circuit means.

2. An air form finisher combination according to claim 1, wherein the switch contacts operating means includes third circuit means having a coil for actuating the switch contacts of the second circuit means and means for completing the third circuit means.

3. An air form finisher combination according to claim 2, wherein the third circuit means includes a manual switch and a holding relay, and wherein the blower is also actuated by the third circuit means.

4. An air form finisher combination according to claim 2, wherein the third circuit means includes thermostat means in heat sensing relation to the heating elements, said thermostat means having normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment.

5. An air form finisher according to claim 1, wherein thermostat means located in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and connected in the first circuit means control the standby heat output, said thermostat means being set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment.

6. An air form finisher combination according to claim 5, wherein the first circuit means is normally completed except for interruption as a result of the thermostat means.

7, An air form, finisher combination according to claim 1, wherein said second circuit means includes one pair of contacts connecting one potential of the power source to between first and second of the heating elements and the second pair of contacts connecting the opposite potential of the power source to between the second and third of the heating elements.

8. An air form finisher combination according to claim 7, wherein said two pairs of contacts are comprised as part of a two pole single throw switch means.

9. in an air form finisher having an upright frame including a shoulder form upon which a garment can be dressed, a blower for directing air to and through the garment, and means for selectively operating the blower, the combination of at least first and second electric resistance heating elements supported in head transfer relation with the blower air prior to exposure with the a garment, thermostat means located in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and having normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment, first circuit means connecting the heating elements and thermostat means contacts in series for low heat output sufficient to keep the elements and part of the frame at a warm standby condition when the blower is not operating, second circuit means including separable contacts by passing the thermostat means and connecting the heating elements in parallel for high heat output when the blower is operating, third circuit means including a coil operable to actuate the second circuit means contacts, and means to actuate the third circuit means.

10. An air form finisher combination according to claim 9, wherein a second thermostat means is in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and has normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment, wherein the third circuit means includes a series connection across the second thermostat means contacts, and wherein the first and second thermostat means are set such that effectively the first circuit is normally and cyclically completed and the third circuit is normally deenergized when the blower is not operating, and wherein normally both the first and third circuits are cyclically completed when the blower is operating. 

1. In an air form finisher having a hollow base with a top opening, an upright frame supported on the base, a shouldeR form on the frame, a sleeve draped over and secured to the frame and communicating with the base top opening, and a blower in the base directing air through the top opening and sleeve to and through a garment dressed on the form over the sleeve, the combination of at least three electric resistance heating elements supported in the base adjacent the top opening and in heating transfer relation with the air discharged from the blower, first circuit means connecting the heating elements in series for low or standby heat output and second circuit means including two pairs of switch contacts connecting the heating elements in parallel for high heat output, and means operating the switch contacts for controlling the second circuit means.
 2. An air form finisher combination according to claim 1, wherein the switch contacts operating means includes third circuit means having a coil for actuating the switch contacts of the second circuit means and means for completing the third circuit means.
 3. An air form finisher combination according to claim 2, wherein the third circuit means includes a manual switch and a holding relay, and wherein the blower is also actuated by the third circuit means.
 4. An air form finisher combination according to claim 2, wherein the third circuit means includes thermostat means in heat sensing relation to the heating elements, said thermostat means having normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment.
 5. An air form finisher according to claim 1, wherein thermostat means located in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and connected in the first circuit means control the standby heat output, said thermostat means being set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment.
 6. An air form finisher combination according to claim 5, wherein the first circuit means is normally completed except for interruption as a result of the thermostat means.
 7. An air form finisher combination according to claim 1, wherein said second circuit means includes one pair of contacts connecting one potential of the power source to between first and second of the heating elements and the second pair of contacts connecting the opposite potential of the power source to between the second and third of the heating elements.
 8. An air form finisher combination according to claim 7, wherein said two pairs of contacts are comprised as part of a two pole single throw switch means.
 9. In an air form finisher having an upright frame including a shoulder form upon which a garment can be dressed, a blower for directing air to and through the garment, and means for selectively operating the blower, the combination of at least first and second electric resistance heating elements supported in head transfer relation with the blower air prior to exposure with the a garment, thermostat means located in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and having normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the garment, first circuit means connecting the heating elements and thermostat means contacts in series for low heat output sufficient to keep the elements and part of the frame at a warm standby condition when the blower is not operating, second circuit means including separable contacts by passing the thermostat means and connecting the heating elements in parallel for high heat output when the blower is operating, third circuit means including a coil operable to actuate the second circuit means contacts, and means to actuate the third circuit means.
 10. An air form finisher combination according to claim 9, wherein a second thermostat means is in heat sensing relation to the heating elements and has normally closed contacts set to open at a temperature in excess of normal ambient atmospheric but less than that harmful to the gaRment, wherein the third circuit means includes a series connection across the second thermostat means contacts, and wherein the first and second thermostat means are set such that effectively the first circuit is normally and cyclically completed and the third circuit is normally deenergized when the blower is not operating, and wherein normally both the first and third circuits are cyclically completed when the blower is operating. 